Victor Guzman had seen his father die two days earlier and, with his family still in mourning, the sophomore did not have to be a part of Memorial's game yesterday against Kearny.

Instead, Guzman wanted to be on the pitcher's mound for his team, believing that it is what his father would have wanted.

“Even with all the things that were happening with my family, I just put it in my mind that my dad would want me to do better,” Guzman said. “All I thought was that I have to do this for my father, just go out there and pump strikes like I always do.”

Guzman, who he knew his father, Victor, “was watching me,” went out and tossed a one-hit shutout in Memorial’s 10-0 six-inning victory at West New York’s Miller Stadium.

Guzman was with his 49-year-old father when he collapsed and died Tuesday morning. The elder Guzman had been complaining of chest pains that day and collapsed while on the way to the doctor with his son.

“We get to the doctor, he parks the car and he starts walking down," the younger Guzman said. “And as he starts walking, he tried to sit down so he could catch a breather. As he went to sit down he just collapsed right into my arms. I just laid him down. I heard his last breath.”

Memorial coach Dan Marroquin said he made it clear to Guzman that he did not need to even come to the game or take part in Wednesday's practice, which he also did.

“I was shocked because I had told him his family was first. It was more important and he did not have to be here during this tough time,” Marroquin said. He just told me ‘Coach I want to be here,’ and I kept telling him the same thing, ‘Are you sure?’ And he kept saying ‘No coach, I want to be here. I need this.’ ”

Guzman went out and struck out eight batters with only two walks and hit a three-run double as part of a five-run first inning for Memorial (1-2).

“I know what he would want me to do,” Guzman said. “My dad wouldn’t want me to go put my head down. He would want me to progress. Even though he passed away, he’s still looking over me.”

Guzman was visited by his teammates Tuesday and Wednesday nights, a gesture that overwhelmed him.

“When my dad passed away all of my teammates came down to my sister’s house and they sent me so much love, I just burst into tears,” Guzman said. “They didn’t have to do that for me. They did and I really appreciated that.”

Alvaro Suazo was 3-for-4 with three RBI and Giovanni Palos was 2-for-3 with a homer, two RBI and two runs in the victory. Mario Palos and Steven Acosta added two runs apiece.